Friday, October 5, 2018

Karaikandeswarar Temple, Karaipoondi, Thiruvannamalai

Karaikandeswarar Temple, Karaipoondi, Thiruvannamalai
Karaikandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Karaipoondi Village in Polur Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Karaikandeswarar and Mother is called as Balasundari. This Temple is considered as one the Saptha Kailaya Sthalams established and worshipped by Lord Muruga on the southern bank of river Cheyyar.


Legends
Saptha Karai Kanda Sthalams and Saptha Kailaya Sthalams:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Equivalent to Kasi:
River Cheyyar is flowing towards North and hence considered equivalent to Kasi.
Karaipoondi:
The Temple is located on the southern banks of Cheyyar and hence the place is called as Karaipoondi.
History
Cholas, Sambuvarayars, Vijayanagara Kings had done lot of renovations to this Temple.

The Temple
There is an entrance arch facing south. The entrance has stucco images of Rishabaroodar in a Mandapam, Ganesha and Murugan. Stucco images of Nandhi can be found along the Temple walls. Presiding Deity is called as Karaikandeswarar and Mother is called as Balasundari. Both the presiding deity and Mother are housed in separate shrines and are facing east. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.


Shrines for Surya and Chandran can be found opposite to the sanctum. Lord Vinayaga and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivanai can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam Tree. There is a shrine for Anjaneya situated near this Temple. This Anjaneya Idol is believed to be installed by Vyasaraja.


Contact
Karaikandeswarar Temple,
Karaipoondi, Polur Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District – 606 803
Mobile: +91 94440 34735 / 95853 03925
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Polur, 5 Kms from Polur Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Polur Railway Station, 12 Kms from Devikapuram, 41 Kms from Thiruvannamalai, 40 Kms from Thiruvannamalai Railway Station, 161 Kms from Chennai Airport and 170 Kms from Chennai. The Temple is situated on Polur to Devikapuram Route. Karaipoondi is well connected to Polur, Devikapuram and Thiruvannamalai. The Temple is conveniently connected to Polur.
Location
References